Avastin, a drug for Breast Cancer Patients Found Useful but Restricted

Efficacy of a new drug named Avastin to treat tumors from those suffering from breast cancer at their early stages may get revisited. Avastin is found useful in treating breast cancer.

Avastin is found useful in those who were new to cancer, and as doctors expected it has high efficacy of treating breast cancer. Chemotherapy was done in few women with Avastin plus before they go any surgery. Period of surgery arise, doctors didn’t see any sign any of cancer in them. It was a shocking result for everyone as women doing chemotherapy with Avastin plus were safe than those with only chemo alone.

Regular precautions and research are being made as it not stated that Avastin can continue existence. The drug can also cause harm, said experts.

Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Harry Bear commented against Avastin as it is not specified yet that it will lead them in success. More researches are going on.

Avastin got sanctioned in the treatment for advanced breast cancer by the United States, in 2008. Researchers found Avastin is helpless in increasing life’s validity, heart problems, bleeding and many other problems can occur. Till November the government retracted the consent.

The California-based Genentech, the Swiss company Roche is the manufacturer of the Avastin. Since in few countries it is not recommended by doctors but in nations like Europe and Japan it is still practiced by the doctors for treating advance breast cancer and the charges is $10,000 a month.

The sponsorships for study included support from drug companies and National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Gary Lyman, who is a researcher at Duke University and one of the members at panel which retracted Avastin, commented on Avastin’s positive side of outcome through study.

Minckwitz suggested in breast cancer patients more important is healing.

Looking at results Lyman stated, it was found nearly 200,000 women in U.S every year detect breast cancer.

Women who underwent with Avastin their sample tissues would be studied for genes bio markers to check which women are positive toward Avastin which will help researchers in finding more improvement in the drug.

Dr. Sandra Horning Global Development Chief of Cancer Drugs for Roche and Genentech said, the company is not planning to alter drug Avastin until more proofs are accessible.

Replacement For Viagra is Stendra, FDA Approves Stendra

FDA has approved new erectile dysfunction drug developed by Vivus. The drug has been named as Stendra.

With this development, Vivus has finally managed to get first approval for its product. The approval came in time when patent of Viagra is about to expire. Stendra is expected to be replacement for Viagra. The drug manufacturer is also hoping approval for its weight loss drug called Qnexa which is in reviewal process.

Stendra is brand name of Avanafil. Earlier we had reported development of Avanafil, and the drug has got approvalfrom FDA. Currently there are three FDA approved erectile dysfunction drug treatments namely, Viagra; Cialis; Levitra. Generic Viagra is most popular drug. Being top popular drug, pharmaceutical companies were competing to take place of Viagra when its patent expires.

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile Dysfunction is a disorder characterised as a man is unable to get erection or maintain erection or erection is not rigid enough for sexual intercourse. FDA estimates around 30 million suffering by erectile dysfunction caused by various reasons.

How Stendra Works?

Like other drugs, Stendra also works by increasing blood flow in penis which eventually results in erected penis.

How To Take Stendra for Best Effect?

Stendra is recommended to take half an hour before intercourse. Medical experts have seen Stendra producing effect within fifteen minutes. The time of action is maximum and can be less for other patients. Stendra is thus the fastest acting erectile dysfunction drug.

Stendra Side Effects

FDA has strictly advised patients not to take Stendra if patient is taking nitrate drug. Stendra is contraindicated to nitrate drugs and may lower blood pressure. Side effects reported by FDA are vision problem. Since Stendra is also PDE5 inhibitor drug it can cause vision loss in single or both eyes. Hearing problem is another side effect likely to develop in some patients.

Headache, nasal congstion, redness at several parts of body and back pain are common side effects observed by FDA review panel.

Counseling Needed for Women on Fertility After Cancer Treatment Chemotherapy

A research study found that not all young women, who receive cancer treatment, taking precocious measures to preserve fertility. Study found very few women take counseling on presevin fertility after cancer treatment.



Different perceptions were seen in different groups of young women. Some women take measures such as eggs freezing or preserving embryo, says Dr Mitchell Rosen - lead researcher at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).



Researchers suggest, in a study published in Cancer Journal, to educate reproductive-age-women on various fertility preservation methods.



Number of young women seeking counseling has increased yet, number is still large of women not aware of protecting their fertility during cancer treatment.

Rate of survival of cancer diagnosed women has improved, but quality of life following treatment remains in question. 120,000 women are diagnosed in US every year.



There are many side effects of cancer therapy, particularly chemotherapy. One of the side effects is female patient may lose fertility and reduce chances of getting pregnant again. Change in menopause may also affect fertility.



In order ot be able to have kids later, storing freezed embryo or eggs is best bet for women who have not yet received or started cancer treatment after being diagnosed.

Cancer suffering women of age between 18 to 40, were surveyed to determine which women are utilizing fertility preservation method.

Prescription Extension Rule in Canada (Saskatchewan)

A new rule may come into existence where the pharmacist may be able to extend the prescription date for emergency medications for maximum 100 days.

This is in response to the many complaints where people state that they have been facing problems in obtaining medicines promptly whenever necessary.

Imagine you have a headache or any other body pain and you are out of the pill that you need, you would obviously yearn for a pill. Visiting a doctor would add to your pain then.

Don McMorris, the health minister has announced that one can extend the prescription if required. Saskatchewan residents were delighted with this new law as the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists' bylaws announced this new enforcement. This can be surely beneficial to the health care system as they may be able to save at least some of the resources.

Sine patients are charged by the health care center when they have to visit the doctor and expand their prescription, they have to repay. However some argue that they do not have to repay unless they ask for some kind of check-up.

To ensure safety, however there have been safeguard seeing to it that the patient does not take advantage of this rule by visiting multiple pharmacies and getting multiple refills as the Pharmaceutical Information Programme has complete access to the medical profile of the patient. Nevertheless there will be laws that may see to it that there is no easy access to drugs like Narcotics on the basis of this extended prescription.

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